Main Story

Former Stephen F. Austin standout Willie Jefferson finished another strong CFL season by moving into second place on the league’s career pass-knockdown list. Rookie Qualan Jones completed his first professional season with Toronto, while three other Lumberjacks remain with NFL teams—two on active rosters and one on Philadelphia’s practice squad.

By the Numbers
  • Jefferson recorded 23 tackles, seven sacks and 13 pass knockdowns in 18 regular-season games.
  • His 107 career pass knockdowns rank second in CFL history—four short of the record.
  • Jones totaled 233 yards from scrimmage in six games: 124 rushing yards and 109 receiving yards.
  • SFA has three former players on NFL active or practice-squad rosters, leading the Southland Conference.
Yes, But

Jefferson’s season ended with Winnipeg’s 33–23 loss to Montreal in the Eastern Final, but he has said he intends to play in 2027. Jones had limited playing time early in the season before earning an extended opportunity in August.

State of Play
  • John Franklin-Myers is in his first season with Tennessee and has 1.5 sacks through eight games.
  • Vikings rookie Charles Demmings has appeared in three games, primarily contributing on special teams.
  • Xavier Gipson is on Philadelphia’s practice squad; he has not appeared in a regular-season game this fall.
Bottom Line

Jefferson’s historic CFL production highlights SFA’s reach in pro football, while Jones and the three NFL Lumberjacks continue building their professional careers.